Short chains of amino acids that signal skin to behave, most famously, to produce collagen. Matrixyl, copper peptides, Argireline.
Where the science stands: promising, gentler than retinoids, and genuinely useful for people who can’t tolerate retinoids. Also more expensive per unit of evidence than almost anything else in skincare. If the budget forces a choice, sunscreen and a retinoid beat a peptide serum. If the budget doesn’t: peptides layer well with everything and irritate almost no one.
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HumectantsHumectants pull water into your skin: from the deeper layers, and from the air when it's EmollientsEmollients smooth and soften: they fill the microscopic gaps between skin cells so skin fOcclusivesOcclusives form a seal on top of skin so water can't escape. Petrolatum (Vaseline), lanoli
The BYOUT Library is educational content, not personalised medical advice. For persistent or severe skin concerns, a dermatologist beats any article, including ours.